This could be anything. Both clubs ought to have strengthened more in defence and, as they lag outside the top four, the search for momentum has been held up. Arsenal have won two of the previous 18 meetings and, as the home team, their need for the win is probably greater. United, though, are also desperate. “You have to look further than the table and at the quality of the players,” Arsène Wenger suggested. “It’ll be a very exciting game.” David Hytner

Kick-off Saturday 5.30pm

Venue Emirates Stadium

Last season Arsenal 0 Man Utd 0

Live Sky Sports 1

Referee M Dean

This season G8, Y39, R2, 5.1 cards per game

Odds H 5-4 A 5-2 D 13-5

Arsenal

Subs from Martínez, Bellerín, Arteta, Rosicky, Ramsey, Podolski, Campbell, Akpom, Sanogo, Giroud, Walcott

Doubtful Gnabry (match fitness), Walcott (groin)

Injured Debuchy (ankle, Dec), Koscielny (achilles, Dec), Özil (knee, Jan), Ospina (thigh, Jan)

Suspended None

Form DLDWWL

Discipline Y29 R0

Leading scorer Sánchez 8

Manchester United

Subs from Lindegaard, Amos, Vermijl, Thorpe, Mata, Anderson, Pereira, Janko, James, Wilson, McNair, Da Silva, Jones, Evans, Carrick, Rothwell, Fe

Doubtful Carrick (groin), Shaw (leg), Da Silva, Evans, Jones (match fitness)

Injured Falcao (calf, 8 Dec), Rojo (shoulder, 8 Dec), Blind (knee, unknown), Young (groin, unknown)

Suspended None Form WWDDLW

Discipline Y21 R3

Leading scorers Di María, Mata, Rooney, Van Persie 3